Youre no daughter of mine anymore. Who is he, and wheres he from? No one knows! Im embarrassed by you. Move into your grans old cottage and start acting your age. Maybe youll finally learn to take responsibility.
Lizzy, have you heard? There are new blokes in town, come to help out at the factory. Shall we go to the pub tonight and have a look? Come on! Sarah grinned, sprawling across the worn armchair.
Sarah, are you serious? And who exactly will mind Jamie? You think Ill bring him with me, pram and all? Lizzy laughed, shaking her head.
Well, what if we ask Auntie June? Sarah suggested, half-hopeful.
Lizzy waved a hand despairingly.
Oh, not a chance. Shes still not forgiven me for having Jamie. She wanted to marry me off to Oliver, but oh no, I had to run off to the city for uni, failed spectacularly, and waddled back with a bump instead of a degree. She barely spoke to me for a year. Only just thawed out these past two months. Go on, you should go. Maybe youll find yourself a dashing fellow.
Sarah sighed.
All right, Ill go with Becky. And tomorrow, report back with every detail!
Later, Lizzy tucked Jamie up for the night and wandered out onto the porch, pulling her old shawl tight. She could hear thumping music from the village hall. She pictured Sarah, no doubt parading about in that infamous leopard print dress, which made her look more like a weird brown-and-yellow caterpillar than any wild animal. Lizzy grinned to herself. She sighed, rueful, and went back in to bed.
At dawn, Sarah burst into the cottage, all excitement with Lizzys mother, of all people, already there for tea. Lizzy pressed her finger to her lips, but stopping Sarah on a roll was like trying to halt a bus with a daisy.
Shame you missed last night. What a crowd! And there was this one guy, Toby, absolutely hilarious! Im seeing him tonight, Sarah declared, almost bouncing.
Lizzys mum arched an eyebrow.
Hes not married, surely?
Sarahs shoulders rose in a shrug.
Didnt check his ring finger, did I? Anyway, even if he is, at least itll be memorable.
Oh, girls, what are you like? Theres Oliver why not give him a shot? My ones missed her chance for happiness, but Sarah, you could turn his head, you know, Auntie June piped up, plotting.
Oh Auntie June, honestly! Whod want him and his mothers even worse! No thanks, Id sooner take my chances with a wild duck, Sarah retorted.
Then she turned to Lizzy, eyes shining.
But there was this one bloke last night so good-looking none of us could stop staring! Didnt stick around, though. Came with mates, left alone, didnt ask anyone to dance.
Then, miracle of miracles, Auntie June fixed Lizzy with a cunning look.
Lizzy, you should go along tonight. Ill watch Jamie! You might meet someone proper this time, not well, just dont bring home anyone elses husband. They sniff out single mums like bloodhounds, mind. Understood?
Hardly believing her luck, Lizzy nodded eagerly, then impulsively planted a kiss on her mothers cheek. Her mother, never one for affection, only huffed, Oh, off with you, you daft thing.
That evening, Lizzy donned her best dress and joined her friends, fluttering with genuine excitement it felt wonderful to forget about responsibility for a while.
Look, there he is again! Told you hed come back! the girls whispered, nudging each other.
Lizzy glanced over legs trembling, stomach doing flip-flops. She turned quickly to Sarah, murmuring, Actually, I reckon Id better head home. Jamie will wonder where I am.
Sarah looked appalled.
Lizzy! First time out in ages and youre running home before youve even danced. Come on, youre not eighty!
But Lizzy shook her head, determined.
No, really, Ill leave you to it. Theres Toby, heading your way now you wont be alone, she said, gently untangling herself from the group and making for the door.
She hadnt even reached the exit before a warm hand caught her wrist.
Care for a dance? a voice asked.
She tried to pull away, not meeting his eyes.
I dont dance.
But this chap was persistent.
Oh, go on. One dance, please.
Lizzy chanced a look up and her heart nearly stumbled. There he was, the very one whod once turned her world inside out. Evidently, though, recognition didnt dawn for him. Relieved, she managed a smile.
All right, just the one. I am really in a hurry.
He spun her expertly across the floor.
Rushing off to an impatient husband, are you? he teased.
Im not married, she replied, a little too crisply.
He winked, so familiar it made her stomach lurch.
So youre saying I have a chance? he grinned, lopsided.
Lizzy leapt away.
Dont count on it, she tossed over her shoulder, then bolted out the door.
She walked home, tears streaming down her face. Of course he didnt remember her. Shed fallen hard, but for him shed clearly been just another forgettable stop on the way.
Theyd met on the train, all those months ago. Lizzy had been returning, all gloom after flunking her entrance exams. He, apparently, was off to see his parents. Hed spotted her misery and tried to cheer her up.
Im Jack, but my mum calls me Jackie, and my nephew calls me Uncle Jay. Take your pick, he said, hand outstretched.
She smiled despite herself.
Uncle Jays the best of a dodgy bunch.
He grinned, shaking her hand.
So whats your name then, mysterious beauty?
Elizabeth, she replied.
He nodded solemnly.
Elizabeth very regal.
Chit-chat flowed, and she told him about failing her exams.
My mums never going to let me live this down, she sighed.
Youll get it next time, Jack encouraged. Just give it another go, stick with it.
Her face lit up.
Why didnt I think of that? Thanks honestly!
He watched her a moment, then said softly, No need. Has anyone told you how lovely you are, Lizzy?
She blushed, mumbling, Im really not, but thanks anyway.
He edged a bit closer.
I mean it, he murmured and then kissed her. Half-ashamed, half-thrilled, Lizzy never forgot what happened after. Jack got off at his stop, promising, Ill find you. Promise.
Only, of course, he didnt even ask for her address.
And then there was Jamie. Her mother, face like thunder, spat,
Youre no daughter of mine anymore. Who is he, whats his name, wheres he from? Im so ashamed. Go live in your grannys old place. Learn what consequence means.
Lizzy got herself a part-time job at the village library before Jamie arrived, and worked until maternity leave. At the hospital, Sarah met her with chocolates; her own mum didnt bother. Only when Jamie was five months old did her mother creep around with bags of toys, pronouncing,
Hes hardly ours, but hes here now, which, from her, was practically an embrace.
One afternoon, her mother asked,
Home already? Was it that dull? Hows Jamie?
Lizzy answered,
Hes asleep. Mum, if youre off, Ill get some rest too.
Later, drowsily feeding Jamie his breakfast, she coaxed,
Eat your porridge or youll never grow up big and strong like your dad. He was very strong and rather dashing, you know.
A voice drifted from the doorway.
Talking about me? Flattered, honestly. That little chap must be mine, then?
Lizzy dropped the spoon.
You? But how? Why?
Jack smiled, stepping forward.
Told you Id find you, didnt I? Didnt expect a son waiting, mind. Lost track, never asked where you lived bit daft, really. Id say fate had a finger in this, he grinned, waving at Jamie, who squealed delightedly.
The next morning, Lizzys mum arrived to find her daughter beaming while a strange man carried Jamie about the kitchen, both looking utterly pleased with themselves.
Is that him? her mother asked, wary.
Yes, Lizzy replied, her smile dizzy with happiness.
Her mother approached Jack with a guarded hand.
Im June Thompson. And Ill be watching see if youre really the man and father you ought to be.
Jack shook her hand firmly.
Understood, Mrs Thompson.He looked her straight in the eye, warm but unwavering.
I plan to do better than that, Mrs Thompson. Ive got a lot to make up for.
Grudging approval flickered in Junes gaze as she watched her daughter and the stranger no longer a stranger laugh at Jamie tipping his bowl, oats everywhere, the kitchen suddenly messier but brighter than it had felt in years.
Later, as the day faded to gold, Lizzy walked with Jack and Jamie in the lane behind the cottage. In the hush of evening, Jack reached for her hand.
Guess Ill need some lessons in fatherhood, he said quietly. And maybe in how not to be a prat.
She gave a shaky laugh. Were all learning. But you can start with bedtime stories.
Jamie squawked his approval, arms reaching to the sky.
They stood together by the old gate as the first stars peeped through the dusky blue. Lizzy realized, marveling, that her life wasnt the disaster shed feared just a tangled path twisting toward something unexpected, joyful, and entirely her own.
Jack squeezed her hand.
This time, I promise Ill stay.
And for the first time in years, Lizzy believed him. In the soft silence that followed, Jamies giggle rang out bright, hopeful, and carrying through the evening air and all three of them, messy, mismatched, but finally together, turned and walked home, ready for whatever came next.
